Printing machine



Nov. ll, 1930.., H. G. KNOX PRINTING MACHINE Fw mi. l* E ma.

2 Sheets-Sheet l .o mm

INVENTOR l Nov. 11, 1930. H. G. KNOX 1,781,017

PRINTING MACHINE Filed June 29, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 D, O T- L 55 INVEN-ron MEW /ZgaL 7@ f UNITED" @AfrsNr oFFlceEf f HARRY G, RNoX, F NRW YORK, N, Y., AssIGNoR To R. Rona oo.,INo., oF-NEW YORK,l

N. Y., A CORPORATION. on NEW YORKl l Y f l `PRINTING MACHINE v Application 'inea rune 29,

This invention relates to certain improvements in multiple unit printing machines.

In certain types of printing machines' such as, for instance, high speed rotary machines, the press comprises a largenumber of 'printing units, each unit comprising printing and perfecting couples, and suitable folder units. The units are arranged in line or in lines, each line comprising the desired number of printing units, folder or other units. 'I`o insure accurate printing, the units must be accurately aligned, that is, the aXes of the printing cylinders should be either parallel or in line with each other. These units are erected on a sup- 5 port or foundation, and frequently it takes considerable time and .trouble to obtain the correct initial alignment of the various independentunits. Furthermore, even if the initial alignment is correct, the units may have to be subsequently re-aligned due to. settlement of the foundation or other causes, and re-alignment for these reasons is particularly troublesome. Furthermore, on account of the size of the machine, the present methods of determining alignment, to wit,` levels and wires, are difiicult and take up an undesirable amount of time.

It is the especial object of the presentinvention to provide, in a press construction involving a number of u nits, a construction by which the press may be readily and quickly set up in correct alignment and, if any realignment is necessary, this can be easily and quickly accomplished.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved arrangement for deter- `mining the accuracy of the alignment of the units and a means by which this can be easily and quickly accomplished.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved unit, either a press unit or a folder, or other unit which can be pre-erected or partially pre-erected and standardized so that the units may be transported as a Whole and set up in assembled form in such arrangements as the user may desire.

With these and other objectsnot specifically referred to in view, the invention consists in certain novel parts, arrangements and combinations which will be described in con- 192e.A serial No. 119,268.

nection with the accompanying drawingsv and the novel features pointed out in .the claims hereunto annexed.

In these drawings, Figure l isa side elevation Vof a multi-unit machine and ai folder, showinga construction and arrangement embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional'plan View, the section being taken online-2'-2 of Fig. ll, sh'ow ing the means for aligning the press, the vieu7 being taken in the direction of the arrow;

'Figure 3 is a detail side view, on an enlarged scale, looking in the direction of the arrow 3 of Fig. 2; 'Y y f Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line f4 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow 4L of that figure;

Figure 5 is a detail View of one means that` may be employed for checking up thev aligning of'a number of units;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of a modifiedl arrangement having .a yframe structure with printing units mounted tiers;and Y. n Y

Figure7 is a side elevation of another modification having the printing units arranged with their'cylinders in line. i

Referring to these drawings, the particuin a plurality of lar machine 'selected to illustrate the invention ment of the press,'however, each printing unit will be similarly constructed so that allthel units will be duplicates of each other, and simi'- larly the folding or otherl units will be'dupl'icates of each other, and the units may be preerected each completein itself, whether printing or folding unit, so thatthese units can beV transported asfa' whole and set up in any arrangement desired and aligned, as hereinafter referredY to. The 4printing units being scription of one will suice for all.

'In the particular construction showmthere Aidentical in the arrangement shown, a de- I are three press iinits,rA, B, C, and a folder F,

and a description of unit A will` suiaiice forn the lprinting units. As shown, each unit comprises upper and lower horizontal side` frames 1, 2thes'e frames being connected by vertical v standards 3,14, andr` r5, onfeach'sideloffthe' machine: :The side frames 1', .2 'areconnected l' by cross frames 'Y The'unitJ is supported on alblse Sto which it'is secured in any suitable way, as by boltsil9. Supported in these` frames is a press comprising'printing and perfecting couples, rthe cylindersofwhich may be, as shown,` arranged in parallel relation. TheA form cylindersof thecouples are marked 10, 11, and the impression cylinders 12, 13. The Yfornicylinders are inkedfrom any suitable inking..y mechanism, 'indicated y generally by thenumera'ls 14, '15',thesexpartsy being suitably supported in the sidefframes Vbefore"referred-to..y .'.Theunit's and their bases aiieisupported'fon ya. suitable foundation, indi# cated asy a .bed.yl16f,'supported ron suitablev Vstandards'17jrising from any suitablesupport.f-It.wi1l beunderstood,'of course, Vthatinstead. ofthis .bedethe couples may be sup-V ported on thefloorfofthe pressfro'om'or on any other suitable foundation.

unit .be thrown. out .ofI actionwhen de'- s-ired'. In the particular construction shown,

eachfunit is driven byV a Vvertical shaft 18,

' ,i the upp'erfend. of which isiprovided with :a

miter 19 which gearswith a miter 20 on one n ofthe impression .cylinders YVof .the unit. This shaft," in the particular `construction shown,

drives the impression cylinder y'13, this. cylinder, through'suitable gearing, `driving the other couple of thepre'ss. .Thezdrivingshafts 18, ony their lowerV ends,- are". provided with miters 21 Vwhich fmesh'with miters 22ona power shaft 23v extending the length-of the v machine). These-imiters 122Y are' arranged so that they .can f be slipped out :of meshl with.. rthe miters 21 so that A'any unit may, if desired,

be cut out. 1 A y. p The units may 'be pre-erectedcomplete or substantially complete', transported' in erected orf'partially erected form, and set up on the foundation. YInaccordance .with the invention, means are providedfor aligning these uni-ts; when they, are set vup or afterwards" so that the cylinders willfbe'parallel or `so lthat'the units maybe adjusted as Vdesired or necessary, which means will be of such char-y acter that the aligning, veither initiallyl or Y subsequently, maybe readily and quickly effected. While Athis meansmay vary within wide. limits, fin the particular construction-V ShOW'mMt-he'unit is so'arranged-thatit caribe The. units By adjusting these thrust nuts,-.the; wedges raised or lowered,jand can alsovbe. swung or turned around the drive shaft 18 as a center, so that the units may be aligned as desired or necessary.' As shown, referring first to the devices for raising" ofrlowering the units, there is'providedat each corner ofthe unit an adusting device shown inthe form oflawedge.

Vihilevthe specific construction of these ad-V justing wedges may be vvvaried, in the particuf` lar construction' shown, at'eachfcerner ofthe unit, vthe"foundationhas secured thereto a wedge plate 25 having an inclined surface 26, Y. 1 these wedge plates being secured in position iIi-any suitable manner, as by screws 27. Cof operating with the wedge plate 25 is a wedge block 28 havingza wedgesurfac'e29 cooperating with the inclined surface. 26 of thewedge y i plate 25.V The .wedgesare beneath theunilts, whichA rest on thesewedges at,.feach corner,

kand by. manipulating thesev wedges unit may be raised or lowered'to effect 'parallelism` of the cylinders -withthe cylinders-of other units.,` Toinanipulate thewedges, each .wedge block 28- is provi-ded withk a; threaded stem 530 on'which aresetup nuts 31, 32,. thenu'tl bearing 4against the outside ofea leg' 33 Vpro-1 j ecting upwardly from .the `wedge"k ,plate-125..:Ak

may be Vmoved back and forthtoraise or lower the unit, as desired, the arrangement of the L:

,topframes permitting thismevementu.' Stopl screws 39 areor may beprovidedateach side of thestem 30 for'holding'the wedge .block .in adjusted position.. y Y

f In'constructions embodying the invention,

means areprovided forgivingthe units a swinging or turning. movement so that the units can be accurately aligned horizontally and, in the particular construction shown, the n vunits for this swinging.y movementV are swung i around'the driving shaft'18iasa center.. Va'

rious constructions maybe employedjfor effecting this movement. As'. shown, the founon, fataea'ch corner ofthe unit, a bracket-Bd having an'upstandingleg 35 through which passes a sto-p screw 86 provided with a llock i nut '37. Also secured to 'theb'ase,- at' 'each' cer; neris a. bracket 41( through which passesan ad] usti'ng' screw. llt),7 this Aadjusting screw bef ing provided with a loc-lr nut-.41. s 'In adjusting the unit, theV unit mayberaised or low ered vertically by the manipulation ofV the",

'wedges 28K. The unit maybe swung horizontally around the shaft `18'as acenter by loosening the stop screws at the corners and i the lock nuts 41 whereupon, by. manipulating:

the proper. adjustingv screw which bears againstpthe base i8 of the unit, the unit may be given a swinging movement. W'hen the unit is properlyadjusted,`the other adjusting screws 40 aretightened up, as are alsofthe stop screws 86, so that the unit is heldlinits adjusted position.

In the fbestfconstruction, an improved '"1 iok means 'einen pro',vi'fiai'ror :Checking up the aligning of the "units, While these'neans maygvary somewhat in construction, `Vin` the preferred f form lsui'table devices' willbe provided, connected 'witheach unitb`y which the-accuracy of the alignment may be visually determined. In the particular construction shown, the-device fused is shown'in Figf. Each unit is provided with two Suchsighting dei'fices. j vOne isi-shown having 4ascale'42 provided with suitable graduations *and Va' marker '43, 'this marker vbeing provided Witha right angled marking recess 44, this marker 43 being mounted on the scaleboard 42 so that it can be moved along the bar to any desired point, being held in adjusted position by a set screw 45.

This scale bar maybe mounted on the unitV in any suitable way. f-In'the-best'.construction, it will Abe pivote'd so thatV when-'not in useitcz'tn be swung upout'of the' way. In' the pa rtic'ular construction shown, therefore, the scale bar is pivoted at 46 to a bracket 47 securedto side framing of the unit at two convenient points, as at 48and49. Inv the use of t'hese devices the bars -are rocked from the` dotted line position to the `full line position shown in Fig. 5 andthe markers 43 are suit-f ably adjusted on the bars. `It it is desired to align unit C with unit A, for instance, the scale bars 'on these units are swung into position and a line'takenthrough the recesses. 44 ofthe markers by means of a suitable instrument, such as a telescope,'and.the units are moved until the'marking recessesV 44 yin allof the scale bars are in line, it being understood, ofcourse, that the markers 43 of eachscale bar are positioned at the same point on the scale. i A

My invention can also beapplied to a press arrangement wherein a fra-me is provided fin which the units" are supported'on a plurality or" levels. Unefsuch arrangement ris shown in SFigz T6; vIn' this arrangement there .is provided a second deck 'of .v printing units arranged above the deck showny inFig. 1.

These units are constructed'and' arrangedv like those-in the lower deck 'and are provided with similari means for adjusting thein. Two

such units marked D, E are shown, the'unitD beingsupported above the unit C,Vand the unit above the unit B. Adjusting devices for these units vsimilar to thosealready describedjare provided for 'these `upper units,

The upper units are supported 'in arranged" ii'giiv'th@theirr eyhfndersarranged ifn Tine or in an fend mend-relation.

frafnieftl 'tiesftegether rrainesahay?. 'Slts 6-2 .fare form'ed v-.inr the tie r:ffii'annee :to i permit theadjfnstinganovements'o'cEithefnnitsandad: justin Annett una is time.pioeiadfwineh be assembled with l its 1i1\aniing,fts@printingelements, either af'printi'ng'fcouple Y. or' :a iper; f

fee-ting j'iiiecha'nisrnfiand .its1iilking-l i'n'eclianis-n1, 'moved ascawhol'e, either lwith or 'with-v ivvoisiiehunits?` 55, v 56 'areishdwng'fthefunitf '55.1has1itsfcylinders mounted, in verticaltrarnesil 15a/fand 'the unit 56 has its cylinders mounted in fvertic'al* trainee *59, 60. The ramesffmay @tied together by .cross frames, as for instanceffa,

devicesi, 564 'arei provided #for ieachY y out "'the cylinders', and :quickly `yand @readily Y associated withother 'press unitsfwithout fur-j' ther assembly "Offfits parts other thanfconf, .i

nect'ng 'upv 'the driving mechanism therefor,

or `simply `,placiing the: v'cylinders1in itherejoun:

nais. Thusyassemblyofthe Iunitat fthetp'ress room is avoided and consideraleleA savingot time by :the user of thefpressfeiected in .i'n-

stalling the units Itwillf'be 'understood Jhat f the" vfolder may be1a`ss'embled as ai'unit'iand adjusted' 'in 'a f'm'anner fsinifla-"rtol that of fthe: printing units, 'so that `:the folder (Yoan vibe aligned with 'the "units 'with 'which it f is used.

may 'be Ifcol'ive'nient to transport "these separarely. The 'hearings 'fior l`the l"cjflinlers, hcwever, will be in posit-ion infrtheframing 'and it will only be f'ecessarylfor the fuser Eto put pre''erected unit as employed fin thefspecification andV claims will befnnderstoodvto ijnciude yainn'it thatiis' complete ora1 `unit complete exceptifrfthecylinders r i l lVith the* 'arrangeirent described, it. be seen that Ia simple fand 'accurate 'means has been V'provided for 'aligning yor itruing up: the press units in large multiple unit print* ing ma'fihnea and an improved; unit arrangement 'Whichflerids itself readilyUtofquick in-Y stallatijon., e

` Whi1efthe n'iehaiiisins and arrangements shown and-.described arefeiiectivefand practical, 'it will 'be 'understood 'tha't *various changes may be made in these ljcon'structions and 'the invention,ftherefo'rdis" notjtof Vbe limited tothe' #exact construction and 'arrangement shown and described. "What If'claimisi: y i Y i i l. [TheJ combination Nofja' base for support,

and vertical l,planes relatively to the'support to Valign 1thefun'it with frespect to y-any other unit so `that-the cylinders of the `units will be iny parallelism with-each other.`

2. -The'F-combinationfof afbase `orffslijpport,i a;lplu'ralityiofapressunitsa'rrangedffin line tro miv

a plurality 'of press units arranged in fline. on the support," and frneans arranged fat "each unit for adjusting the units 'in horizontal;

a 4pluralityofupress units varranged vin line on theresupport and Imeans; secured; to f the,V

eachother.v f Y -v A3..,'The 'combination of arv base or support,

Y supportat 1thetco'rners ofthe units' for 'adv Vjustmg the unit relatively tothe supportftoA align theV unit with respect to any other unit sof-thatthecylinders of the units, will bein yparallelism withfeachpother.- f '4L TheV combination-of abase support, a

y plurality .of pressl units having .theirl cylinders'arranged inrparallel relation onlthe support, and means for effecting af swinging movement otra vunit as alwhole relatively'tothesupport in a.' horizontal direction-.and a; movement in. afvertical direction to align the unitl` -iniparallel relation with respect -to any othervlunits- *Y 5. *The combinati asa whole to: alignfthe unitverticallyand horizontally'in parallel relation `with any other unit,and means for effecting avisual determinationof thealignment. KV6. YTheic'ombination of a base or support,

Iapluralityof press units, arranged. in line e Y on thevsupport,andwedges interposed between the units and the-,Supportfor effecting an adjustment ofthe units. 3

^ V7.. The-combination-of al base orv support,

a pluralityfof presstunits arranged in line on the support,-wedges interposed between the units and the-support forlei'ectingxan "adjustmentof-the units, and -meansfo'r efothr'erunits.v Y

1 a plurality of press units arranged invlinej Ion the support, wedge plates onthe support. atreach corner ofaxun'it, wedgeblocks 'be-j tween the plates andthe unit trames,'means Vfectingaswinging movementof the unit to align it in parallel .relation with respect to V8.I `The combinationvof a base or' support,

for manipulating the wedgebloc'ks, and ad- Vv'justing screws at leach corner of the unit for eiectlng a swinging movement ofthey unit.

l9. The combination cfa rbaseorfsupport,

Ya pluralityof press units arranged 1n -line on the supportwedge plates on the support at each corner'of a unitgj'wedge vblocks be-.

l tween thejplates and the. unit frames, meansfor manipulating thewedge blocks to effect avr vertical movement ofthe unit, adjusting Poo;

screws at each corner of the unit Vfor effect! ing a swinging movement ofthe unit, and

Y Stops for holding the unit infadjustedposi-V 1.10.z 1 A pre-erected press unit including suitable framingrfand printing 'elements and inkl 'n a-base i or support', i apluralityof'fpress -lunits arranged inline onthe support,- meansgfor adjustinga unit other.` Y Y 1 8. The combination of a base or support,

ing mechanism assemblediilljthe framing, and;-

adj usting mechanism associated lwithz the unit -capacitated to adjust the'lunitvertically Aand horizontally, said :unit1 being ,movable in Y` its entirety; andA capable of ready ,association :with'other'press units .withoutfurther ereting.

11, YA pren-erectedlpress unit including suitable kframing and printing y and perfectingV mechanism and zinkingi mechanism therefor ed to adjust the unitrvertically and/ horizonT tally, said unit-being `movable inits entirety 80,

andcapable of readyvas'sociation with other press units withoutfurther erecting.`

a plurality of press units and a yfolder unit assembled in the Vframing, and adJuStmg. meChiLIlSm associated with the unit capacita/0.,V y' Y Y 12. The combination of a base or'support,

arranged inline onthejsupporaandmeans for eiecting an adjustment ofthe press, units and the folder vertically relatively to the support so as to aligna unit-or the folder with Y 13. The combination/with a supportofia plurality of press, unitsY arranged on the` support, and means for al'igninga-unit in botha vertical andv horizontal; direction in vparallel i relation with any other unit.

14. Ay pre-erected press .unitincludingai' v951- base andsuitable framingy secured V'to the base, printing; elements yand inking mechanism assembledinthe framing, and adjust-` ingv mechanism associated with the unitrcaf pacitated to `adjust-the unit verticallyfandghorizontally, saidA unit being movable in its entiretyand capablel of ready association` withother press units without further erect'-Y 7' A' 15. The combination of'a base or support,

\a plurality of press units on the support, and means forradusting the-units vertically relatively tothe support to bring the units into operating alignment witheach other,-

- 16. VThe combination of a base or support, a plurality .otpress yunitsand a folder arranged in line'on thesupport, and means for eecting an adjustmentfof the press units and Y `ingfto the supportsoas to align'aunit'or a 'folder with anyother unit.,r`

a pluralityof press units onthe support, and

means for adjusting the units vertically andV horizontally relatively to the support to bring the units into operating alignment with each a plurality of press units and a folder on the support, and means for adjusting thel units vertically andhoriZOntally -relatively to the support to bring a unit or the folder into operating alignmentwith any other unit.,

19.y The combination of'framing capacitat-A ,edto .receive and support press units provided with adjusting means, and having 17.-1The combinationofabase support,-

the -folder vertically and horizontally relatmeans cooperating with the meanson the units for effecting adjustment of the units vertically to bring the units into operating alignment.

20. The combination of framing capacitated to receive and support press units provided wit-h adjusting means, and having means cooperating with the means on the units for effecting adjustment of the units vertically and horizontally to bring the units into operating alignment.

21. The combination of a base or support, a plurality of press units arranged in line on the support, means for adjusting a unit as a whole to align the unit vertically and horizontally in parallel relation withany other unit, and precision devices secured to a unit for effecting a visual determination of the alignment.

22. The combination of a base or support, a plurality of press units on the support, and means for eli'ecting a swinging movement of the units horizontally in any direction relatively to the support to bring the units into horizontal alignment with each other.

23. A pre-erected press unit including suitable framng, and printing elements and inking mechanism assembled in the framing, and adjusting mechanism associated with the unit and capacitated to effect a swinging movement of the unit horizontally in any direction, said unit being movable in its entirety and capable of ready association with the press units without further assembly.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

HARRY G. KNOX. 

